“Goodbye for now, until we meet again!”
Its been a while. it has been a whiiilllee. Hi!
Can you believe it? I leave for Launch like… tomorrow. FREAKIN WHAT?!
Anybody else sweating? Just me? cool.
Not gonna lie to ya, this has been a firkin weird journey. Fundraising, soul searching, digging into the word, not digging into the word [dumb, don’t put that evil on yourself ricky bobby], meeting my squad, getting my team, being obsessed with my team [ SHOUTIE TEAM HAVEN], learning to shut up more, learning how I deal with stress [or not deal with stress], leaning on my team more, being more vulnerable, accepting that i’m leaving, being overwhelmed with the support and love, & saying goodbye.
Its been quite the rollercoaster. But through it all I got to see how the Lord has grown me in this last year. Its 2018, so naturally new year new me *insert hair flip*, right? Mm I mean yeah maybe idk. As I reflect on this last year and how I spent my time, how I challenged myself (intentionally or unintentionally), I know that I don’t wanna be the exact same person. I know that entering into 2017 I didn’t wanna be the person I was in 2016, I wanted to be kinder and more courageous. I think that I’ve grown a lot in those areas. So thats neat. 2018 is gonna be the year of Peace & Joy, even in the most frustrating circumstances (i have a feeling there will be a few). I’ve made a pact with myself to be a person that you walk away from feeling uplifted and full of peace. My existence on this earth is not to add to the turmoil and stress but to bring a light and a breathe of fresh air. Well, atleast thats what i’m gonna be working on this year. SO LETS PRAY FOR THAT OKAY!
Yesterday my dad and I were talking about my going away party that some of my friends threw for me. A lot of people showed up from the ministry I serve in at church, my small group girls were there, all the people I hold nearest to my heart were in attendance. We do this thing in our leadership for birthdays where the birthday king or queen has to stand on a chair or sit on peoples shoulders and everyone comes up to them looks them in the eyes and tells them what that person means to them, or share how they’ve made an impact in their lives. Its as cute and sentimental as it sounds, Words of Affirmation people THRIVE here.
They did this at my going away party. Person after person came up and told me how much I meant to them, or how proud they were of me, or how I made an impact in their life one way or another. Im not going to lie, i cried. a lot. My small group girls and my friends cried, a lot. But I just felt so undeserving of this love and affection because it was nothing that I did. I literally just showed up. I didn’t do a dang thing, The Lord did.
As my dad and I were talking and he was telling me how cool of an experience it was for him to see that, that the last 5 years of youth ministry wasnt for nothing. He said something that made me kinda faulter. “You were what they needed because you just showed up and stayed”.
Y’all, our Lord and Savior is living, breathing INSIDE of us. He can move mountains and literally do whatever He dang well pleases, but His best work? Is when we move for Him. When we show up to the places or to the people that He asks us to go to. He asks us to show up in the places that don’t make sense,or maybe freaks us out, or disgusts us in some way. AND He asks us to stay. Stay with the downtrodden and encourage them into joy and thanksgiving. Stay with the liars, we all need at least one person to confide in. Stay with the drunks because you may be able to remove the cup of this world and replace it with the cup of the living water (MM YES LORD) Stay with the ones who don’t have an earthly family, because through Christ we are all brothers and sisters. Stay with the ones who are dirty, the Lord wants to use you to make them clean again.
[ Rom.12:16, Rom.15:5, Heb.10:24-25, Ps.133:1, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 John 1:7, Acts 13:2-3, Mark 16:15, Phill. 2:15-25]
As I’m preparing to leave (this blog is a form of procrastination from packing if I’m being honest) God’s just tugging at my heart to be ready to show up and stay. Even if that means being behind schedule or staying up later/waking up earlier. Maybe not being out an about playing around with kids but sitting and talking with a momma, or going to love on really dirty babies, or spending extra time listening to a team mate. Its about being ready at a moments notice to just go and just stay. Whatever that actually is supposed to look like, whenever thats supposed to be. Gods got a place and person ready for you. We just have to be willing.
So this is my farewell post because I’m going to go show up somewhere for someone with the sole purpose of loving them well. Loving them like Jesus. I hope that you have the same desire to do the same.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
1 Chronicles 16:24
xo-M
WHAT A BLESSING- I only have $1,925 left to raise until I’m FULLY FUNDED! Wow, what a cool God we serve that calls us and provides for us. I can’t do this incredible journey by myself so if you feel led to support me financially there is a cute orange “DONATE” button at the top of this blog, its as easy as shopping on amazon. All donations are tax deductible and highly appreciated. If you feel led to support me prayerfully, click the subscribe button under my picture so you can stay up to date with everything that is going on out on the field. My team and I can use all the prayers we can get. Be praying for us as we transition into this new season of life and for our loved ones we’re leaving behind.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
